Monday, September 1, 2008

From Start to Finish


I rarely post photos of my works in progress, but I really do enjoy seeing that type of post on others' blogs. With that in mind, this weekend I took the camera into my studio so I wouldn't forget to take photos along the path of creation.


The piece doesn't look like much until I start to play with paints on the background of collaged papers. For this piece I also added prints made with foam stamps and acrylic paint. I have already sketched my "scene" on paper and transfer that to the canvas.


I add decorative papers which have been distressed and inked and before long I really have something. (At first I thought I would let some of the paint on the houses show through, but changed my mind and covered all with papers.)


Windows are added to give more life to the houses, which you can see are filled with "song." Shading with charcoal pencil and a little more ink and then I am ready for text which gives the piece its story.


This finished collage entitled, "Home to Our Hearts," is available in my Etsy shop. **SOLD**

© Nancy Lefko

26 comments:

Jodi Ohl said...

absolutely gorgeous Nancy!!! I love seeing other people's WIP, it's always so inspiring! :)

Elizabeth Parsons said...

very nice! love the houses!

eBeth

Monica said...

I've been thinking about houses too! :) Really interesting to see your process- and to watch your image come alive. have a great week.

Victorian Lady said...

Beautiful Nancy! Thanks for the wip pictures too...I love those as well. :)

Mere

Fannie said...

Thanks for sharing your process, Nancy. I enjoyed this post! I felt like I was looking over your shoulder.

Karen Salva said...

Nancy, I saw this on a quick check in on my google reader and love it so much I skipped right past leaving a comment first and right on over to your Etsy store to see if it was still available. Yippee for me, it was!

I love doing the works in progress photos because sometimes I wonder if I should have stopped at a certain point. I had even done them before blog land for this purpose but never kept good track of them, hence one of the reasons I began to blog.

In any case, this is so sweet and warm and soooo Nancy! It will look great here!

Anonymous said...

This is wonderful, I'm so happy you posted your work in progress! It's awesome to see how you work, and it's so beautiful...

notmassproduced said...

thanks for your comment - love these too :o)

Roberta said...

I love that you did this. What fun to see one of your creations in progress.
You are absolutely the top of your craft Nancy!

Kelly said...

Nancy, I love seeing your work in stages! This is a wonderful piece!!!

Unknown said...

oh wow Nancy!!! this is awesome...I love seeing the progression of your work...I think you should post this more often!!!

michelle renée bernard said...

love how it turned out! The windows are sooo cute!

reagan said...

So pretty Nancy! Very fun to see your process. Love looking at row houses, it's like a special little world you get to peek in on:-)
xoxo
Pam

Mim said...

I like the progression...but I really like the finished piece! Too bad it's sold, its wonderful.

Diane Duda said...

i enjoyed that, nancy!
thanks for sharing.

xo
di

Lisa Rivas said...

Great WIP post Nancy. Love the piece it self! Lucky Karen who got it...
You do have a complex process and so thought out. Just amazing :)

Sherry said...

It's interesting to see the piece from start to finish and how the creative process evolves...and what's even nicer for you is sharing it and then having it sell immediately!! Brava!

Lisa M Griffin said...

just beautiful nancy. love the process and the finish! I can see why it was snatched up so quickly. :)

Bobo said...

Such a lovely work! Thanks for sharing the process too!

Dot said...

thanks for sharing your technique! i love this one..

Ginger*:) said...

Too fantastic for words, "Lefty" This has to be my most favorite so far. I am so glad you shared the journey from start to finish. What a magnificent piece!
No wonder it is already sold!

Eric Barclay said...

Beautiful piece- love how you did the houses.

Bee said...

So pleased you posted this, I also love seeing people post their process, it's a real priviledge to see. Lovely end result :)

Anastasia said...

this is fantastic Nancy...thanks for sharing! great background...nice to see the start to end process!

Carmen said...

Ooh, I love this!!!

Karen Salva said...

Nancy, Your "Home" is now home. It is so warm and beautiful. I will post about all my exciting mail real soon!